Arsenal have had a €40million (£35.8m) proposal for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema dismissed as derisory by the club’s president Florentino Perez, according to Diario Gol.
The Spanish news outlet has consistently linked the Frenchman with a move to the Gunners but the forward remains very much part of manager Zinedine Zidane’s first team plans, going by his continued selection in Real’s starting eleven.
Still, Diario Gol believes that Perez is determined to offload Benzema despite only handing the 29 year old a new four year deal in September. They say Zidane has been the player’s staunchest defender up until this point but even the Frenchman is beginning to lose a bit of faith in the striker who has scored just one league goal this season.
In fact, players such as Isco and Marco Asensio are also said to be frustrated that Zidane has kept faith with the player so long. Yet, it seems Perez still does not want to let the Frenchman go cheaply.
Despite nearing 30, and lacking form, the Real president is said to be waiting for offers well above Arsenal’s reported proposal. Whether he will get any others, it remains to be seen.